First days in Ireland

I'm just in to Dublin today from Belfast. I had a three hour bus ride this afternoon. There are already stark differences. Belfast, even though it was a more working class and gritty town had a definite character and personality. Dublin thus far, doesn't. There are pretty areas near the center, and lots of pubs etc, but there's just not a sense of the people or anything else. Perhaps my thoughts are a bit premature since I've only been around the center so far, I'll have to write more after I see St. Patrick's and Christ church tomorrow.
Before leaving this morning a Dutch guy and I took a Black taxi tour. It took us around the city and gave us a look at the many different murals and tributes to heroes in the struggles. We also saw Sinn Fein headquarters, got to write on the peace wall and got a general history lesson about the different players in the conflict. It was a great way to wrap up after meeting many very cool people and a great hostel experience. Other than the Dutch guy, there were German, French, Aussie and Welsh folk and a Gent from West Yorkshire who was an English hippie and a professed moosist. You'll have to ask if you want an explanation.
I'm on to Gallway tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully I'll have more stories.
I'm trying to figure out a way to put pictures up as well. I don't have my laptop and these places generally frown on hooking things up to their pc's. I'll see what I can do.

Got to looove the Plov....

10 points to anyone who can get the Seinfeld reference in the post title....

I did go to Plovdiv this past weekend, or as our guidebook somewhat humorously named it "The Plov." It was a very cool city that apparently is a rival to Sofia for the cultural center of Bulgaria. The city has an "old town" section, and given that it is a contemporary with Troy, it's real old. There are a lot of ruins that date back to the Thracian times, cobblestone streets etc. It was well worth the trip out there.

Unfortunately, I can't post the pictures, since they are on my laptop some 2000 miles away. I landed in Belfast today via Rome and am beginning the first big excursion on this trip. Starting her in Northern Ireland, I'm heading through the Republic, Bath and London in the UK, Switzerland, Paris, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic Austria, and then Sicily. I'm going to try and keep posting at cafes like I am now. It'll all depend on availability etc however.

Some quick impressions of Belfast: It's a pretty gritty town save the center where there's a really neat Botanic garden and Queen's University . There are apparently some very old historic pubs etc that I'll be sure to check out as well. People seem to be friendly. The whole driving/walking on the left side is a surprising mind bender. Over/under on time it would take me to get in an accident: 5 min.